Banner Adjustments

Since April has been a fruitless month in the Dragon's Aery (especially after butting heads with a certain HNM LS remnant), I have decided to comment on the new site banner instead. If you happened to visit the Den frequently in the past few weeks, you might have noticed numerous edits made on Liabelle and the banner's lighting.

For the most part, I created a new Liabelle from scratch: only her hair, lips, and ears remain intact from the previous banner. Moreover, I wanted a constant light source for all characters, so I adjusted everyone accordingly with a light source from the left. Unless I can improve on Liabelle's nose, I believe I have finalized the changes for all time, but as this recent adjustment shows, I can always count on surprising myself.

If anyone preferred Liabelle's pink Demon's Harness over the current one, I have also included an alternate banner below for comparison; the main reason for the switch was to allow readers to discern what Liabelle was wearing more easily. While I am sure I fell short of banner perfection by any and all means, if Liabelle appears cuter than before, then I have done my job.

EDIT: Banner has been updated again.

Before:










After:

Fafnir Revisted

So while the servers are down, I thought I would share some adventures in the Dragon's Aery undertaken a few weeks prior. Given that Fafnir used to be a HNM that required a small party to defeat, I was pleasantly surprised when a BST/DNC managed to conquer Fafnir solo. Naturally, I decided to mimic his technique in hopes of slaying my own Nidhogg someday.















For the most part, it took only a single DipperYuly (other jug pets might work too) to defeat Fafnir, but one does require a stack of Pet Food Zeta Biscuits to keep Yuly alive. Constant use of "Snarl" and "Curing Waltz III" should sustain one's life indefinitely given Fafnir's lack of hate reset abilities; each fight took me around 20-25 minutes solo.















In the end, I only managed to vanquish three Fafnirs before the servers were taken down, and no Ridill dropped from all three. However, I do feel my chances at earning an Earthen Abjuration: Body have improved at long last, so maybe -- just maybe -- I can pick up a Ridill along the way.

GUPS 024

I will admit it: I do not want to blog lately, and I do not know why. Perhaps the looming jaws above my head have something to do with it, or maybe I have finally become jaded with FFXI. Whatever the reason, I have not updated my blog in almost a month, so here is a summary on my last two month's worth of exploits.

Other Stuff


















First off, I have exterminated countless NMs these past couple of months and picked up numerous trinkets along the way. For the most part, the upper half of the collage represents trophies that I obtained solo while the bottom half represents goodies that I collaborated with my LS for. Moreover, I would like to specially thank Mclovinn for pursuing an Epona's Ring for me -- I definitely could not have done it on my own.














On the other hand, I have only managed to upgrade two AF3 pieces to this day, again thanks to Mclovinn's efforts. While I do admit the completed BST AF3+2 set would greatly improve my TP and WS set, I still believe in holding out until level 99 to assess what new gear will become available then.














A giant heap of merits thanks to the bountiful land of Abyssea...






... and finally, a Temperance Torque from the latest Mog Bonanza for one of my mules. Thank you, SE, for too little, too late.


HQ Crafting Addenum













I finally decided to synthesize a giant batch of Cursed Hauberks and managed to HQ 3 of 66 as a result. While I did possess Mega Moglification: Smithing, Guild Image support, and both a Blacksmith's Apron and Smithy Gloves for all attempts bar the first, I still believe I had only a tier 0 chance at HQing despite having over 106 Smithing skill. In other words, I got real unlucky, or one or more subcrafts for this recipe are over level 49 -- my HQ rate should have been closer to 10 percent.

Cursed Hauberk -1 (Tier 0)
14) NQ 15) Fail 16) NQ 17) NQ 18) NQ 19) NQ 20) NQ 21) NQ 22) Fail 23) NQ 24) Fail 25) NQ 26) Fail 27) NQ 28) NQ 29) NQ 30) NQ 31) NQ 32) NQ 33) NQ 34) NQ 35) NQ 36) Fail 37) NQ 38) NQ 39) Fail 40) HQ 41) Fail 42) NQ 43) NQ 44) Fail 45) NQ 46) NQ 47) Fail 48) Fail 49) NQ 50) NQ 51) NQ 52) NQ 53) Fail 54) NQ 55) NQ 56) NQ 57) HQ 58) NQ 59) NQ 60) NQ 61) NQ 62) NQ 63) HQ 64) Fail 65) Fail 66) NQ 67) NQ 68) NQ 69) NQ 70) NQ 71) NQ 72) NQ 73) NQ 74) Fail 75) Fail 76) NQ 77) NQ 78) NQ 79) NQ


Guttler Updates






So, I have lost all hope in finishing my Guttler and obtaining an Armada Hauberk as of late. I simply refuse to create the former before the latter, and the latter has become impossible thanks to the difficulty of procuring the corresponding abjuration. Moreover, I have tried HNM LSs, Einherjar LSs, mercenaries, and close friends, but nothing has prevailed for one reason or another.

In summary, I am nothing but demoralized from chasing a piece of paper that should have been mine by now, but in reality, the new level cap and advent of Abyssea have only made it harder to obtain. Nowadays, there are few players who are willing to spend long hours hunting outdated gear, and with the latest updates, I do not blame them.

What I will attempt next is anyone's guess. Despite moderate success in Abyssea, no amount of new items compensates for the lack of an Earthen Abjuration: Body, so if I am truly unable to obtain it by this summer, I believe it is time for me to depart from XI at long last.

Currently, I am working on Stage 4 -> 5 of my Guttler.

I have acquired:
[1/1] Ogre Killer
[1/1] Shard of Necropscyhe
[1/1] Runaeic Fragment
[9/100] Lungo-Nango Jadeshells

Gil towards next 100-unit currency (subject to change):
[???/1.1M] Lungo-Nango Jadeshell
Status: N/A


Crafting Status

Khelandros
[100/100] Fishing Skill
[80/100] Woodworking Skill
[54/60] Smithing Skill
[14/60] Goldsmithing Skill
[8/60] Bonecraft Skill
[8/60] Leathercraft Skill
[59/60] Cooking Skill

Cooking mule
[100/100] Cooking Skill

Smithing mule
[100/100] Smithing Skill
[60/60] Goldsmithing Skill
[39/60] Leathercraft Skill
[16/60] Bonecraft Skill
[60/60] Clothcraft Skill
[45/60] Woodworking Skill
[54/60] Alchemy Skill

Alchemy mule
[100/100] Alchemy Skill
[19/60] Goldsmithing Skill
[34/60] Smithing Skill
[16/60] Bonecraft Skill

Bonecraft mule
[40/100] Bonecraft Skill

Adieu, Lilisette

Warning: Spoilers of the WotG variety below!

Click here for part five of the spoof series.
Click here for part seven of the spoof series.















After botching an assassination attempt, rescuing Rage's girlfriend instead, and dragging an unconscious Rage and Portia into Xarcabard [S] in the aftermath, Lily and I were about to celebrate when we suddenly noticed a massacre outside Castle Zvahl Baileys [S]. By some luck, we managed to find some stragglers nearby, so we promptly disposed of their Demon oppressors.















Which of course woke the honeymooners right up. Now that we are all assembled again, you there -- whipped soldier of negligible importance, explain what happened to the San d'Orian front, posthaste!















So let me get this straight, an ominous cross appeared in the sky.















It turned out to be an invitation for cookies, from the Shadow Lord himself.















The San d'Orian army waltzed into an unforeseeable ambush...















... that resulted in utter annihilation. Is it just me, or do thoughts of the Shadow Lord decimating the entire San d'Orian front, past or present, seem utterly ludicrous?!















Oh look, yet another ominous symbol; I cannot believe our enemies would try the same gimmick twice! Now let us get organized, men. Have all survivors retreat several hundred yalms and -- wait, where did Rage scamper off to?

Rage? Portia? What do you mean they have bolted towards Castle Zvahl [S] again? Is there not anyone rational in this storyline? Sigh. I must hinder Rage and Portia before they repeat their predecessors' mistake -- those cookies belong to me and ME alone! Come, Lily; we have two naive fools to halt!















So after storming Castle Zvahl [S] once again, Lily and I reached the Throne Room [S] in one piece, but unfortunately for us, Rage and Portia were nowhere in sight. Since Lily could barely control her sugar cravings and since the doors behind us were bolted shut, we decided to search for cookies first and save our friends afterward.

Now let us batter this door open, Lily! Three, two, one...















... we did it! And behind giant door number one lies... the purple clowns that plague us to no end! Judging by their presence and the earlier invitation, they must intend to sue for peace via pastries!















Alright gentlemen, we accept your proposal. Now, where are those desserts you two promised? It was just a ruse to flay our hides, you say?















Now you guys have done it: Lily becomes a murderous madwoman when denied sugary treats...















... and now only thoughts of bloodlust emanate from her eyes! I will not even lift so much as a finger for this fight. Thrash them good, Lily!















So after unleashing her primal fury upon Aquila and Haudrale, the two Spitewardens dropped to the floor, writhing in agony. Just as she was about to strike two deathblows, Haudrale muttered there were cookies around the corridor, calming Lily somewhat.

Alright you two tricksters, march outside to the Allied encampment, and turn yourselves in -- I will not be able to restrain Lily if either of you refuse.















So after coercing Haudrale and Aquila to surrender, Lily and I dashed around the corner only to discover Rage and Portia collaborating with Lady Lilith.

Hey lovebirds! Are we interrupting anything?















Did Lady Lilith just summon Odin right before our eyes? How did she manage to summon a god, or better yet, why are Rage and Portia accepting cookies from him?

Rage! Portia! Those cookies are clearly tainted; do not accept treats from gruesome strangers!















Great, so much for my advice. Now Rage and Portia have been brainwashed into Lady Lilith's servitude.

Lily, we must vanquish friend and foe alike for the good for Vana'diel. Prepare to meet Altana, Rage!















But wait, what is this? Lady Lilith had a crush on me from the very beginning (see above picture), and she will enlist me into her forces if I betray Lilisette? Why thanks, SE; I appreciate the fan service and the convenient escape from certain death!















I am sorry, Lily; we cannot hold hands anymore. I will be befriending your sexy alter ego now given my current situation. That and she seems far more promising to sleep with!















But why the long face, Lily? I promise not to harm you personally. You only need to dodge Larzos' spiked club, backtrack your way through Castle Zvahl [S], and rally a new band of heroes to stop us. Surely, you can manage all that.















Or not... Larzos just struck a decisive blow on Lily. I suppose I would not have gotten very far, myself, in her situation. Well, goodbye Lilisette... try to grow up faster and seduce your sidekick sooner in your next lifetime!















So as they say, all is well that ends well, except for Lilisette perhaps. Until next time!

GUPS 023

Abyssea, Abyssea, and more Abyssea. With the advent of the latest (and greatest) Abyssea installment, I cannot help but marvel how powerful the average player has become and how players have otherwise abandoned older events. While I will still pursue chances at earning a blue Hauberk, my main objectives are to keep my jobs leveled and up-to-date, and since I have a two-week vacation at the moment, I have decided to explore some new game content as well.















For the most part, I have devoted my time to clearing the Shinryu prerequisites, and currently, I stand at 8/9 Abyssea zone clears and 5/6 Caturae kills (only Rani and Cirein-croin remain undefeated). With any luck, I will discover a successful pick-up group for Rani, but good luck remains ever elusive as of late.

Other Stuff


















Picked up some new toys during my Abyssea zone clears...



















... as well as a heap of assorted Atma.






I also cleared the WotG missions, and originally, I chose the earring above as my final reward. However, after noticing the stats on the new Hecate's Earring, I immediately sought information on obtaining new augments.






By dumping your Moonshade Earring and touching the ??? near the Veridical Conflux in Grauberg [S], you can reset your mission log to the final WotG boss fight, and by clearing the fight once more, you can reselect your earring's augments. A special thanks goes out to the Blue Gartr forums for information regarding the reset.








Just finalized my ASA reward augments despite clearing the add-on over a year ago. I was constantly debating whether I wanted pet augments, "Primal Rend" stats, or movement speed for my mage jobs, but in the end, I decided on a new WS piece given the scarcity of BST MAB pieces.









Thanks to the new level cap and gear choices, I have been investing into pet items now that Accuracy is less of an issue. I suppose a pair of PDT or Evasion Axes would complement my new helmet nicely, but I probably will not get around to either until summer rolls around.






A trophy from one of my Caturae fights.


HQ Crafting Addenum







With the December update comes a new series of Crafting furnishings that supposedly increase one's Crafting skills from 106 to 107 -- just enough to bring the Cursed Hauberk recipe to tier 1!

Unfortunately, one needs high-level Synergy in order to craft the new furnishing, and regardless of whether a new tier exists, I have decided to start leveling Synergy and postpone crafting a Cursed Hauberk -1 until I have the abjuration.

Haubergeon +1 (Tier 1)
10) NQ 11) NQ 12) NQ 13) NQ 14) NQ 15) NQ 16) NQ 17) NQ 18) NQ 19) NQ 20) NQ
Hauberk +1 (Tier 1)8) NQ 9) HQ 10) NQ 11) NQ 12) NQ 13) NQ 14) NQ 15) NQ 16) NQ 17) NQ 18) NQ 19) NQ


Guttler Updates






Since I have postponed crafting a HQ Cursed Hauberk, most of my gil has been redirected into buying more L. Jadeshells or Fewell for Synergy. For now, I will focus on obtaining the base seventy coins required for my final stage and hope that I can obtain a loan for the last thirty.

Currently, I am working on Stage 4 -> 5 of my Guttler.

I have acquired:
[1/1] Ogre Killer
[1/1] Shard of Necropscyhe
[1/1] Runaeic Fragment
[8/100] Lungo-Nango Jadeshells

Gil towards next 100-unit currency (subject to change):
[???/1.1M] Lungo-Nango Jadeshell
Status: N/A


Crafting Status

Khelandros
[100/100] Fishing Skill
[80/100] Woodworking Skill
[54/60] Smithing Skill
[14/60] Goldsmithing Skill
[8/60] Bonecraft Skill
[8/60] Leathercraft Skill
[59/60] Cooking Skill

Cooking mule
[100/100] Cooking Skill

Smithing mule
[100/100] Smithing Skill
[60/60] Goldsmithing Skill
[39/60] Leathercraft Skill
[16/60] Bonecraft Skill
[60/60] Clothcraft Skill
[45/60] Woodworking Skill
[54/60] Alchemy Skill

Alchemy mule
[100/100] Alchemy Skill
[19/60] Goldsmithing Skill
[34/60] Smithing Skill
[16/60] Bonecraft Skill

Bonecraft mule
[40/100] Bonecraft Skill